Whey permeate-derived sweetener

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a whey permeate-derived dry sweetener made from a condensed whey permeate and a method of feeding animals the dry whey permeate sweetener. The condensed whey permeate is at least partially caramelized and has a protein level of less than approximately 8% and a lactose level of at least approximately 79% on a dry matter basis.

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser.No. 116,978, filed Nov. 5, 1987 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to food supplements for animals and, inparticular, a dry sweetener supplement for animal feed.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

The addition of sweeteners to animal feeds is an old and well-knownmethod of inducing animals to intake more food, or to intake food thatis not especially palatable. It is desirable that such sweeteners below-cost so that the cost of the animal feed is not substantiallyincreased, if at all.

One such sweetener that has been used extensively in the past ismolasses. Molasses has been used in attempts to make palatable animalfeeds from agricultural by-products which are generally considered notpalatable. For example, molasses has been used to coat seed hulls suchas sunflowers. A process to impregnate oat hulls with molasses isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,395,019. The Fiala U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,535describes a process for impregnating bagasse pith with molasses.

Attempts have also been made to use whey, a cheese by-product ofconsiderable proportion, as an animal feed or animal feed supplement.Whey in the past has been dumped onto fields, in ditches or into riversand streams. Various governmental regulatory agencies have, for the mostpart, stopped such practice. Whey is now used extensively as a foodadditive. Whey's two largest constituents, proteins and lactose, areremoved from the whey for use as food additives. The Thomas U.S. Pat.No. 4,001,198 describes a method of recovering nutrients from cheesewhey by sequential ultrafiltration, each ultrafiltration step removingas permeate substantial amounts of water and dissolved solids from therespective concentrates. Initially, protein is removed from the whey,then the lactose is removed from the permeate.

A number of patents describe various animal feed or animal feedsupplements using whey treated in various manners. For example, theMiller U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,032 is directed to a feed supplement thattreats whey with a bisulfite moiety to react the lactose present in thewhey and form a lactose-bisulfite addition product. Thelactose-bisulfite addition product is more soluble in water thanlactose, therefore, the treated whey may be condensed more by removingwater without sedimentation of the lactose during condensation orstorage. The whey is condensed to about 40-50% solids content. The wheymay be utilized directly as an animal feed, or can be blended withanother source of nutrients to provide a full ration animal feed.

The Schanze U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,358 describes an animal feedstuff thatincludes from about 25% to 95% solid structured fibrous agriculturalby-product, such as cereal, and from about 75% to about 5% of at leastone digestible industrial by-product with nutrient value, one of whichcould be whey. The whey is a low lactose, protein-enriched whey.

The du Chaffaut et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,389 describes a fermentationprocess for the production of protein-rich animal feedstuff from aliquid dairy by-product containing lactose and lactic acid whichincludes cultivating a lactose and lactic acid utilizing strain of ayeast of the genus U.C. Kluyveromyses in the presence of agas-containing free oxygen and a broth comprising a nitrogen source, theliquid dairy by-product and added nicotinic acid.

The Haugh U.S. Pat. No. 2,508,112 describes a method of making an animalfeed mixture including 15%-70% lactose and remainder including proteinfeed materials. The moisture of the mixture is adjusted to a point wherethe mixture contains from about 10%-30% water thereby producing aplastic mass, extruding the mixture under heavy pressure, andsubdividing the extruded material into pellets.

The Peterson U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,909 describes a method of treating wheyto obtain a high yield of relatively pure lactose and salt products. Theproducts are produced from a permeate resulting from ultrafiltration ofwhey by precipitating calcium and citrate salts from the permeatewithout substantial precipitation of phosphate salts. The precipitationis done by concentrating the permeate to a solids content of about40-45% and holding at about 180° F. to 200° F. for 30-90 minutes. Theprecipitated solids are removed from the permeate and furtherconcentrated and the lactose is removed by crystallization. The permeateis then further spray-dried to produce a product that contains theremaining lactose and is useful as a food or feed.

The Chambers et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,386 describes a process forforming an animal feed block from whey. By-product whey is concentratedto form a whey concentrate having a solids content of at least about45%. Calcium phosphate is added to the concentrate and the concentrateis then adjusted to a ph of between 4.0 and about 6.0. The concentrateis then poured into a mold and dried to form the feed block.

The Austin et al Patent describes an animal feed that is fortified witha lactose-rich whey product. By lactose-rich is meant that the whey hasa lactose content greater than 20% of the solid material, such as driedwhole whey, condensed whey and whey solids. The animals are fed alactose content that is above the normal digested limit of lactose forthe animal, providing that the feed is concomitantly supplemented with0.5% to 5% of a water insoluble polymer based predominantly onN-acetyl-D-glucosamine glycoside.

Others have attempted to mix both molasses and whey to produce an animalfeed supplement. In the Schroeder et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,041, amethod is described wherein a hydratable metal oxide, such as calciumoxide, is added to a concentrated dispersion of a water soluble sugar,such as molasses, whey and the like to hydrate the metal oxide. Aftersufficient hydration has occurred, a water soluble phosphate such asphosphoric acid, is added to solidify the product.

The Bode U.S. Pat. No. 3,505,073 describes a process that transforms adry-feed carbohydrate material, such as whey or molasses, to lacticacid. The dry lactated product is then suitable for use in a feedformulation for animals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a whey permeate-derived dry sweetenerobtained from a condensed whey permeate being partially caramelizedhaving a protein level of less than approximately 8% and having a solidslactose level of at least approximately 79% on a dry matter basis.

In another aspect, the present invention includes a process formanufacturing a dry animal feed sweetener that includes a condensed wheypermeate with a protein level of less than approximately 8% and alactose level of at least approximately 79% on a dry matter basis.Preferably, the condensed whey permeate (approximately 50% total solids)is disposed on a comestible seed hull by-product and then dried to formthe sweetener. The permeate sweetener is usable as a feed supplement oris combinable with other food components to produce a very palatablefeed.

In a further aspect, the present invention includes a method of feedinganimals a dry whey permeate sweetener including a condensed wheypermeate having a protein level of less than approximately 8% and alactose level of at least approximately 79%. In particular, the presentinvention includes a method of increasing feed palatability using thedry whey permeate sweetener. Preferably, the condensed whey permeate iscombined with a comestible fibrous carrier, such as a seed hull, to formthe dry sweetener. The animals are fed the dry whey permeate sweetenerwith a conventional feed mixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a microphotograph of whey permeate processed by conventionalspray drying.

FIG. 2 is a microphotograph of whey permeate processed by air dryingtechniques.

FIG. 3 is a microphotograph of the dry whey permeate sweetener of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph of absorbance versus percentage of caramelizedlactose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention includes an animal feed containing a dry permeatesweetener obtained from condensed whey permeate having a protein levelof less than approximately 8% and having a lactose level of at leastapproximately 79% on a dry matter basis.

In another aspect, the present invention includes a process formanufacturing a dry animal feed that includes a whey permeate sweetenerobtained from the condensed whey permeate. Preferably, the condensedwhey permeate is mixed with a comestible seed hull by-product and thenthe mixture is dried to form the sweetener. For purposes of the presentapplication, the whey permeate of the present invention combined withthe comestible material is referred to as a dry sweetener. The drypermeate sweetener is usable as a feed supplement or is combinable withother food components to produce a palatable feed.

In a further aspect, the present invention includes a method of feedinganimals a dry whey permeate sweetener including condensed whey permeatehaving a protein level of less than approximately 8% and a lactose levelof at least approximately 79% on a dry matter basis. In particular, thepresent invention includes a method of increasing feed palatabilityusing the dry whey permeate sweetener. Preferably, the condensed wheypermeate is combined with a comestible fibrous carrier, such as a seedhull. The animals are fed the dry whey permeate sweetener with aconventional feed mixture.

Unless otherwise stated, all percentages mentioned are on a weightbasis.

The condensed whey permeate is obtained by ultrafiltration, separatingthe whey proteins from the fluid whey to a level of at leastapproximately 8% protein in the permeate and preferably to a level ofless than 4%, both values based on a dry matter basis. The ultrafilteredpermeate is then evaporated. The permeate containing predominantlylactose (at least approximately 79% on a dry matter basis) is thencondensed to preferably a solids level of at least 50%.

Table I provides an analysis of the whey permeate on a dry matter basis.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Dry Permeate Solids                                                           ______________________________________                                        Moisture       (2%-7%)                                                        Crude Protein  (2.5%-8%)                                                      Ash*            (8%-10%)                                                      Lactose        (79%-85%)                                                      ______________________________________                                         *Ash component includes minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and       phosphorous.                                                             

Table II provides an analysis of the condensed permeate in a form thatis typically applied to a comestible base such as seed hulls.

                  TABLE II                                                        ______________________________________                                        Condensed Whey Permeate                                                       ______________________________________                                        Component                                                                     Moisture       42.67-48.37%                                                   Solids:.sup.1  57.33-51.63%                                                   Crude Protein  8.48%                                                          Lactose        80.13%                                                         Ash            11.29%                                                         Fat            .10%                                                           ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 dry matter basis.                                                 

The condensed permeate is then directly applied to seed hulls, such assoy hulls or sunflower hulls, and then dried. Other seed hulls usable asa comestible base include cottonseed hulls, peanut hulls, oat hulls andthe like. The permeate may also be coated on fibrous agriculturalby-products such as ground corncobs, beet pulp, corn bran and the like.

The condensed whey permeate is applied to the seed hulls in an amountsufficient to coat the seed hulls.

Prior to the present invention, molasses was the material of choice thatwas combined with seed hulls to make feeds more palatable.

As another aspect of the present invention, the dry whey permeatesweetener is used as a supplement with or as a component of aconventional animal feed. The animal feed typically contains aproteinaceous substance, such as soybean meal, cottonseed meal, orsunflower meal, and an energy component such as corn that is beneficialto the animal. Again, in the prior art, molasses was the material ofchoice to make conventional feed more palatable to animals.

When the present invention is compared to a dry molassessweetener-containing feed supplement, the feed intake by the animals offeed containing the dry whey permeate sweetener of the present inventionis significantly greater.

Such a result is surprising in view of the relative sweetness betweenmolasses (primarily sucrose (51.7%), glucose (17.0%) and fructose(13.0%)) and lactose. In relative sweetness scales, sucrose is assigneda value of 100, glucose has a value of 60, fructose has a value of 120and lactose has a value of 39. (The Encyclopedia of Chemistry, 3rdEdition, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, p. 1065.) Animals were fed afeed containing an equal amount of dry permeate sweetener and drymolasses (by weight) each providing similar levels of total sugars. Theanimals' preference for the dry permeate sweetener-containing feed wassignificantly higher than their preference for the molasses-containingfeed. Set forth below in Table III is an analysis of a commerciallyavailable dry molasses sweetener suitable for use in animal feed and thedry permeate sweetener of the present invention.

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                                     Solids                                                                   Moisture                                                                             Protein Fiber   Sugar Salt Ash                                 ______________________________________                                        Commercially                                                                            9.85     8.84    15.07 39.10 2.10 34.89                             available dry                                                                 molasses                                                                      Whey Permeate                                                                           9.10     7.30    14.99 36.65 2.90 38.16                             Sweetener                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The values of the solids in Table III are expressed on a dry matterbasis. The values were obtained from a single sampling of thecommercially available dry molasses and the dry permeate sweetener ofthe present invention.

To produce the dry whey permeate sweetener of the present invention, a50% total solids permeate having a lactose content of at least 79% and aprotein level of less than approximately 8% on a dry matter basis alongwith soy hulls or other comestible carrier is placed in a conventionalmixer and thoroughly mixed. Good product has been produced while using awhey permeate having a solids level of between 30%-55%. The mixture isthen placed in a direct fire rotary drum dryer. The residence time ofthe mixture depends upon the temperature within the dryer relative tothe caramelization point of the sugars. For purposes of an example, inpreparing one batch of the dry permeate sweetener of the presentinvention, 2,240 pounds of condensed permeate was mixed with 845 poundsof soy hulls having approximately a 10% moisture content. The inlettemperature of the dryer was 1,090° F. and the air exit temperature ofthe dryer was between 300° F.-320° F. The product exiting the dryer hada temperature of 230° F.-270° F. A total of 2,000 pounds of permeatesweetener having a moisture content of approximately 5% was produced.The lactose was at least partially caramelized.

FIG. 1 includes a photomicrograph of a spray-dried whey permeate. FIG. 2includes a photomicrograph of an air dried condensed whey permeate. FIG.3 includes a photomicrograph of the partially caramelized dry wheypermeate sweetener of the present invention. All photomicrographs weretaken at 210X magnification through a Microstar light microscope (APScientific Instruments, Buffalo, N.Y.). The visibly smaller lactosecrystals in FIG. 1 are believed due to the rapid drying which occurs ina conventional spray-drying process. The crystals in FIG. 3 were aresult of the permeate sweetener of the present invention being sievedthrough a 34 mesh screen to separate crystals from fibrous material.

Air dried condensed whey permeate, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is notsubjected to temperatures which will cause caramelization (browning) ofthe whey permeate. The process of condensing whey permeate and then airdrying is such that the moisture protects the whey permeate fromreaching caramelization temperatures. Spray-dried whey permeate, asillustrated in FIG. 1, is condensed whey permeate processed further in aspray dryer. Again, the moisture in the whey permeate during spraydrying prevents the whey permeate from browning.

For purposes of the present invention, a colormetric assay was developedto quantify the extent of caramelization of the permeate sweetener ofthe present invention. Complete caramelization was obtained bysubjecting 200 grams of spray-dried permeate (which containedapproximately 85% lactose) to a pressure of 17 PSI and a temperature of244° F. for 60 minutes in an autoclave (by Consolidated Stills andSterilizers, Boston, Mass.). A standard curve was developed bydissolving levels of total caramelized lactose with non-caramelizedlactose (as produced by an air drying technique) and distilled water. 5%solutions on a weight to volume ratio were obtained according to thefollowing table:

    ______________________________________                                                     gms Totally                                                                              gms Non-                                              Solution     Caramelized                                                                              Caramelized                                           Number       Lactose    Lactose                                               ______________________________________                                        1            .50        .00                                                   2            .30        .20                                                   3            .20        .30                                                   4            .10        .40                                                   5            .00        .50                                                   ______________________________________                                    

All solutions were filtered (Grade 048, ED filter paper-Eaton Dikeman,Mount Holly Springs, Pa.) to remove lactose crystals leaving asolubilized under coloration. Absorbance was measured at a wavelength of600 nm (Spectronic-20, Bausch and Lomb, Inc., Rochester, N.Y.) and astandard curve was developed as illustrated in FIG. 4 by graphingabsorbance versus percentage caramelized lactose.

Percentage caramelized lactose in the permeate sweetener of the presentinvention was determined by screening (using 34 mesh) to obtainprimarily lactose. Any small fiber particles were later removed bysolubilization and filtering. A 5% solution (weight to volume) anddistilled water was used for colormetric determination as previouslydiscussed. For purposes of the present invention, by partialcaramelization is meant at least approximately 10% of the lactose iscaramelized. The absorbance level of lactose from the whey permeatesweetener of the present invention was approximately 0.2, whichtranslates to approximately 47% caramelization according to the graph ofFIG. 4. Whey permeate of the present invention which has beencaramelized to approximately 95 to 100% has also been found suitable.

A further processed permeate may also be used to produce a dry sweetenerand will be referred to as a delactose permeate for producing adelactose dry sweetener. In actuality, such a sweetener includes lactosebut at a lower level. The delactose condensed permeate has a solidscontent of approximately 46% and sugar (lactose) content on a dry matterbasis of 31.17%. The delactose dry sweetener of the present invention isproduced in the same manner as the dry sweetener previously discussed.Table IV, set forth below, includes an analysis of the condensed drysweetener (delactose condensed permeate and comestible seed hull):

                  TABLE IV                                                        ______________________________________                                        Crude Protein                                                                             8.8%                                                              Crude Fiber 19.5%                                                             Phosphorus  .88%                                                              Calcium     .58%           Solids  =   94.5%                                  Sugars      21.5%                                                             Salt        4.6%                                                                                         Moisture                                                                              =    5.5%                                  ______________________________________                                         (Other ash components not assay)                                         

The above condensed delactose dry sweetener was found to make animalfeed more palatable.

However, its preference by the animals was not as good as the highercontent lactose sweetener.

The following examples are included to illustrate the present inventionand are not intended to limit the present invention in any way.

EXAMPLE 1

A dry molasses sweetener-containing feed and a dry whey permeatesweetener-containing feed were prepared and fed in a trial to Holsteinheifers. Whey permeate, as described previously, was prepared byultrafiltration, removing the protein with the permeate being collected.The permeate was subsequently condensed to a solids level ofapproximately 50%. 2,240 pounds of condensed permeate was coated on 845pounds of soy hulls. In this example, the whey permeate sweetener wascaramelized to approximately 47% according to the graph of FIG. 4.

The molasses used in preparing the molasses sweetener-containing feedwas a dry molasses commercially available from West Bend Processing,West Bend, Iowa. The molasses is a 70% TS molasses (liquid). 1,600pounds of the molasses was coated (dried) on 845 pounds of soy hulls toprovide a similar total sugars level as the dry permeate sweetener.

Both the molasses sweetener and the whey permeate sweetener of thepresent invention were incorporated into the feed. Thesweetener-containing feed was pelletized and used as a supplement in afeed having the composition set forth below. The "calculated analysis"indicates that both feeds contained equal amounts of protein, fat andfiber.

    ______________________________________                                                       Molasses     Whey Permeate                                                    Sweetener-   Sweetener                                         Ingredient     Containing Feed                                                                            Containing Feed                                   ______________________________________                                        Ground corn (%)                                                                              34.50        34.50                                             Soybean meal (44CP) (%)                                                                      16.30        16.30                                             Wheat midds (%)                                                                              28.94        28.94                                             Ground oats (%)                                                                              8.00         8.00                                              Dried whey (%) 1.25         1.25                                              Dry molasses (%)                                                                             10.00        --                                                Whey permeate  --           10.00                                             sweetener (%)                                                                 Limestone (%)  .74          .74                                               5X Cat. Vit. premix (%)                                                                      .04          .04                                               Antibiotic (%) .02          .02                                               Trace minerals (%)                                                                           .06          .06                                               Selenium 200 premix (%)                                                                      .11          .11                                               Cellulose gum (%)                                                                            .04          .04                                                              100.00       100.00                                            Calculated Analysis:                                                          Crude protein (%)                                                                            16.00        16.00                                             Fat (%)        3.00         3.00                                              Fiber (%)      8.00         8.00                                              ______________________________________                                    

During the trial, seven Holstein heifers were fed for five days.Observations were taken on the first, second and fifth day. EachHolstein heifer was housed in an individual pen. All the heifersemployed in the trial were fed hay approximately 3-4 hours prior tofeeding of the dry molasses sweetener-containing feed and the dry wheypermeate sweetener-containing feed.

The trial was designed to offer the heifers the molassessweetener-containing feed and the whey permeate sweetener-containingfeed to determine if a preference existed for one feed or the other.Each heifer was offered five pounds of molasses sweetener-containingfeed and five pounds of the whey permeate sweetener-containing feedsimultaneously. The feeds were placed in individual, spaced-apartfeeders and the position of the feeds were changed each day, that is,the molasses sweetener-containing feed was moved from one feeder to theother and the whey permeate sweetener-containing feed was moved alsofrom one feeder to the other to eliminate any biases by an individualheifer as to a particular feeder and not to the feed. The feedersemployed were of similar design. Both feeds were offered to each animalfor exactly five minutes, and after five minutes, the feed was removedand weighed to determine feed intake.

Five of the heifers were pregnant and two were not and five heifersweighed approximately 975 and two heifers weighed approximately 1,200pounds.

The results of the observations taken on day one, day two and day fiveof the trial are listed below.

    ______________________________________                                        Average Daily Feed Intake                                                     Animal No. Day 1   Day 2     Day 5 Average                                    ______________________________________                                        Molasses Sweetener-Containing Feed                                            598         .723    .282      .423  .476                                      595         .599    .053      .229  .294                                      599         .229    .018      .053  .100                                      600         .159    .405     1.091  .552                                      001        1.992      0      1.622 1.205                                      002         .687    .564     1.604  .952                                      596         .141      0         0   .047                                                  .647    .189      .717  .518                                      Whey Permeate Sweetener-Containing Feed                                       598        2.465   2.554     2.713 2.577                                      595        2.554   3.086     3.458 3.033                                      599        2.430   2.660     3.607 2.899                                      600        2.500   2.004     2.039 2.181                                      001        2.110   3.405     2.642 2.719                                      002        4.398   3.919     3.245 3.854                                      596        2.571   2.696     3.015 2.761                                                 2.718   2.903     2.960 2.860                                      ______________________________________                                    

The heifers in the trial chose the whey permeate sweetener-containingfeed on an average ratio of 5.52:1.00. Statistically, it was found thatthe data was significantly different at a probability of less than0.001. In 100% of the observations, the heifers preferred the drypermeate sweetener-containing feed over the molassessweetener-containing feed.

EXAMPLE 2

A second trial was conducted and was designed for specifically smaller,and much more timid animals weighing approximately 300 pounds. The samefeed formulation for both the molasses sweetener-containing feed and thewhey permeate sweetener-containing feed was used in this trial as inExample 1.

The trial was conducted over a three-day period and observations weretaken on each of the three days.

Six Holstein heifers were used and each was housed in an individual pen.All the heifers employed in this trial were fed hay on the evening priorto feeding of the dry molasses sweetener-containing feed and the drywhey permeate sweetener-containing feed.

On the day of the trial, each heifer was offered five pounds of the drymolasses sweetener-containing feed and five pounds of the dry wheypermeate sweetener-containing feed. The feeds were offeredsimultaneously in individual feeders. The position of the feeds wasreversed each day to eliminate any bias of an individual heifer. Bothfeeds were offered to each animal for exactly 15 minutes, and after 15minutes, the feed was removed and weighed to determine the feed intakeby the animals. Each of the six heifers weighed approximately 300 poundsand the heifers ranged in age from three months to four months. Theresults of the trial are set forth in the tables below.

    ______________________________________                                        Average Daily Feed Intake (lbs.)                                              Animal No. Day 1   Day 2     Day 3 Average                                    ______________________________________                                        Molasses Sweetener-Containing Feed                                            649        1.040   1.084     1.647 1.257                                      644         .130    .477      .439  .217                                      646         .867    .390      .086  .448                                      651        1.430      0       .086  .505                                      645         .130      0       .520  .217                                      642         .867   2.037     2.514 1.806                                                  .744    .665      .816  .742                                      Whey Permeate Sweetener-Containing Feed                                       649         .478   1.695     1.738 1.304                                      644        1.608   2.303     3.607 2.506                                      646        2.303   2.557     3.303 2.721                                      651         .130   3.042     3.303 2.158                                      645         .087   3.259     2.477 1.941                                      642        1.347   2.042     1.260 1.550                                                  .992   2.483     2.615 2.030                                      ______________________________________                                    

The average daily intake ratio of the whey permeate sweetener-containingfeed to the molasses sweetener-containing feed was 2.74:1.00. This datawas found to be significantly different (p<0.005). In 77.8% of theobservations, the heifers preferred the whey permeatesweetener-containing feed over the molasses sweetener-containing feed.

EXAMPLE 3

A dry molasses sweetener-containing feed and whey permeatesweetener-containing feed were prepared according to the formulation asdescribed in Example 1. Six Holstein calves were employed in the trialof this example. The average weight of the calves was 150 pounds. Thetrial was conducted for four days.

Both feeds were offered simultaneously to the calves for a six-hourperiod daily, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The calves were housed individuallyin crates containing two bucket holes. The locations of the feed wasswitched daily to avoid any biases by the calves. Calves were wateredtwice each day (8 to 10 a.m.; 4 to 5 p.m.) with the location of thewater bucket switched daily. The remainder of the time (5 p.m. to 8a.m.) the calves were fed a non-sweetened basal diet of corn, oats andsoybean meal which was offered in both buckets.

The results of the trial are set forth in the table below.

    ______________________________________                                        Average Daily Feed Intake (grams)                                             Animal No.                                                                            Day 1     Day 2   Day 3   Day 4 Average                               ______________________________________                                        Molasses Sweetener-Containing Feed                                            46      16        213     2       5     59.0                                  47      213       52      153     412   207.5                                 48      107       82      31      54    68.5                                  49      30        47      156     366   149.8                                 50      8         275     0       11    73.5                                  51      39        86      55      32    53.0                                          85.3      125.8   66.2    146.7 101.9                                 Whey Permeate Sweetener-Containing Feed                                       46      20        183     2       12    54.3                                  47      192       736     706     801   608.8                                 48      288       402     589     400   419.8                                 49      356       320     360     239   318.8                                 50      249       771     762     584   591.5                                 51      126       246     259     170   200.3                                         205.2     443.0   445.8   367.2 365.6                                 ______________________________________                                    

As the results shoW, the Calves preferred the feed containing the drywhey permeate sweetener of the present invention to the dry molassessweetener-containing feed on an average daily ratio of 3.59:1.00. In83.3% of the observations, the calves favored the whey permeatesweetener-containing feed over the molasses sweetener-containing feed(p<0.01).

EXAMPLE 4

This example illustrates preference by calves of the caramelizedsweetener of the present invention in contrast to a product containingnon-caramelized spray-dried whey permeate as a sweetener. The wheypermeate sweetener was partially caramelized (47%) while the spray-driedmaterial was processed so that no caramelization occurred. The Tablebelow sets forth the formulation of each of the feeds. For each feed,the formulation was kept the same except for the permeate. However, ineach case, the lactose content was kept the same.

    ______________________________________                                                   Whey Permeate                                                                            Spray-Dried Whey                                                   Sweetener Feed                                                                           Permeate Feed                                           ______________________________________                                        Formulation:                                                                  Vitamin premix                                                                             .19          .19                                                 Trace mineral                                                                              .36          .36                                                 premix                                                                        Cellulose gum                                                                              .04          .04                                                 Soybean meal 16.00        16.00                                               Wheat midds  24.00        24.00                                               Dried whey   1.25         1.25                                                Limestone    .60          .60                                                 Salt         .09          .09                                                 Ground corn  37.47        37.47                                               Ground oats  10.00        10.00                                               Soy hulls    --           4.23                                                Whey permeate                                                                              10.00        --                                                  sweetener                                                                     Spray-dried  --           5.77                                                whey permeate                                                                              100.00       100.00                                              Expected Analysis:                                                            Protein, %   16.00        16.00                                               Fiber, %     5.90         5.90                                                Lactose, %   5.75         5.75                                                ______________________________________                                    

The above feeds were fed to calves over a four day period. The feedswere offered for six hours daily (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Locations ofeach feed were switched daily. Water was offered twice daily (8 to 10a.m.; 4 to 5 p.m.) and the location of water buckets was switched ateach watering to reduce the chance of biasing data. Ten approximately130 pound calves were individually housed in crates. The remainder ofthe time (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.), the calves were fed a non-sweetenedbasal diet of corn, oats, and soybean meal which was offered in bothbuckets.

The results of the daily consumption of each animal is set forth in theTable below. Each calf is identified by number.

    ______________________________________                                        Average Daily Feed Intake (Pounds)                                            Animal No.                                                                            Day 1     Day 2   Day 3   Day 4 Average                               ______________________________________                                        Whey Permeate Sweetener-Containing Feed                                       21      .18       .22       0     .13   .13                                   22      .40       .44     .49     .53   .47                                   23      .04       .18     .44     .58   .31                                   24      .22       .67     .49     .44   .46                                   25      .53       .66     .49     .84   .63                                   26      .44       .44     .44     .67   .50                                   27      .44       .76     1.42    .36   .75                                   28      .36       .40     .13     .22   .28                                   29      .49       .44     .44     .49   .47                                   30      .40       .53     .44     .67   .51                                           .35       .47     .48     .49   .45                                   Spray-Dried Permeate-Containing Feed                                          21      .27       .35     .13     .27   .26                                   22      .18       .13     .13     .13   .14                                   23      .35       .31     .22     .04   .23                                   24        0         0       0     .04   .01                                   25        0         0       0     .04   .01                                   26      .09       .31     .31     .22   .23                                   27        0       .04     .04     .04   .03                                   28        0         0     .22     .21   .11                                   29      .09       .04     .13     .04   .08                                   30      .13         0       0     .04   .04                                           .11       .19     .12     .11   .11                                   ______________________________________                                    

As the results show, the calves on the average overwhelming preferredthe feed containing the caramelized whey permeate sweetener of thepresent invention to the non-caramelized spray-dried permeate-containingfeed.

The results show that the whey permeate-sweetener containing feed waspreferred to spray-dried permeate-containing feed by a ratio of4.09:1.00 with 82.5% of the observations favoring the whey permeatesweetener-containing feed. The difference in consumption wassignificantly different at a probability of less than 0.05.

EXAMPLE 5

A dry molasses sweetener-containing feed and a whey permeatesweetener-containing feed of the present invention were preparedaccording to the formulation as set forth in the Table below.

    ______________________________________                                                     Dry Molasses                                                                             Whey Permeate                                                      Sweetener- Sweetener-                                                         Containing Feed                                                                          Containing Feed                                       ______________________________________                                        Formulation:                                                                  Vitamin premix .12          .12                                               Trace mineral  .11          .11                                               premix                                                                        Antibiotic     .02          .02                                               Ammonium chloride                                                                            .50          .50                                               Grd. corn      32.90        32.90                                             Grd. soy hulls 10.00        10.00                                             Soybean meal   28.35        28.35                                             Wheat midds    16.50        16.50                                             Dried whey     1.25         1.25                                              Dry molasses   7.50         --                                                Permeate sweetener                                                                           --           7.50                                              Dicalcium      1.15         1.15                                              phosphate                                                                     Limestone      .60          .60                                               Salt           1.00         1.00                                                             100.00       100.00                                            Expected Analysis:                                                            Protein, %     20.20        20.20                                             Fat, %         2.20         2.20                                              Fiber, %       8.00         8.00                                              ______________________________________                                    

Twelve lambs weighing approximately 32 pounds each were assigned to sixpens with two lambs per pen.

Both feeds were offered simultaneously to the lambs for two days. Thelocations of the feed were switched daily to avoid any biases of thelambs. The feeds were fed in a pelletized form and the amounts consumedwere measured daily and are set forth in the Table below.

    ______________________________________                                        Average Daily Intake by Lambs (Pounds)                                        Pen No.   Day 1        Day 2   Average                                        ______________________________________                                        Dry Molasses-Containing Feed                                                  1         .60          .20     .40                                            2         .80          .80     .80                                            3         .20          .45     .32                                            4         .50          .85     .68                                            5         .10          1.00    .55                                            6         .05          .10     .08                                                      .375         .567    .471                                           Whey Permeate Sweetener-Containing Feed                                       1         .55          1.05    .80                                            2         1.10         1.25    1.17                                           3         1.05         1.60    1.33                                           4         1.20         .60     .90                                            5         .75          .35     .50                                            6         .30          1.85    1.08                                                     .825         1.117   .971                                           ______________________________________                                    

As the results show, the lambs on the average overwhelming preferred thewhey permeate sweetener-containing feed. The lambs prefer the wheypermeate sweetener-containing feed by over 2.06:1:00 compared to asimilar diet containing dry molasses (0.971 pounds/head/day vs. 0.471pounds/head/day). Lambs offered a choice, preferred the permeatecontaining feed in 75% of the observations (p<0.05).

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of feeding animals comprising:providinga whey permeate sweetener including fibrous carrier and a condensed wheypermeate in an amount sufficient to coat the fibrous carrier the wheypermeate having at least 10% caramelized lactose and having a proteinlevel of less than approximately 8% and a lactose level of at leastapproximately 79%, on a dry matter basis by weight applied to thefibrous carrier; and feeding the sweetener to animals.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the condensed whey permeate includes a solids level ofbetween 30% and 55% by weight.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein thesolids level of the condensed whey permeate is at least 50% by weight.4. The method of claim 1 wherein the fibrous carrier is a comestibleseed hull.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the dry sweetener is fed tothe animals along with a proteinaceous feed.
 6. A method of increasingpalatability of animal feed comprising:providing a whey permeatesweetener made from a condensed whey permeated having at least 10%caramelized lactose and having a protein level of less thanapproximately 8% and a lactose level of at least approximately 79% on adry matter basis by weight and coated on a fibrous carrier in an amountsufficient to coat the carrier; feeding the whey permeate sweetener toanimals with a proteinaceous feed.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein thecondensed whey permeate includes a solids level of between 30% to 55% byweight.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the solids level of thecondensed whey permeate is at least 50% by weight.
 9. The method ofclaim 6 wherein the fibrous carrier is a comestible seed hull.
 10. Amethod of producing an animal feed comprising:combining a condensed wheypermeate having at least 10% caramelized lactose and having a proteinlevel of less than approximately 8% and a lactose level of at leastapproximately 79% on a dry matter basis by weight with a fibrous carrierin an amount sufficient to coat the carrier to form a permeatesweetener; and mixing the permeate sweetener with a proteinaceous animalfeed.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the fibrous carrier is a seedhull.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the condensed whey permeate hasa solids level of between approximately 30% to 55%.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the condensed whey permeate has a solids level of atleast 50% by weight.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the condensedwhey permeate and the fibrous carrier are dried to a moisture content ofless than approximately 5%.
 15. An animal feed comprising:a sweetenerderived from a condensed whey permeate having at least 10% caramelizedlactose and having a protein level of less than approximately 8% and alactose level of at least approximately 79% on a dry matter basis byweight coated and dried on a fibrous carrier in an amount sufficient tocoat the carrier; and a proteinaceous feed mixture.
 16. The feed ofclaim 15 wherein the fibrous carrier is seed hulls.